Unless he notices something during the 2025 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen still intends to quit Red Bull.

Verstappen is poised to win a fourth world title after his incredible victory. With three races remaining, including a Sprint weekend in Qatar, he leads the standings by 62 points after surpassing Lando Norris by 19 points.

But from June’s Spanish Grand Prix onwards, the title race picture has changed. Rather than mercilessly extending his lead, Verstappen has had to switch into preservation mode.

Although he hasn’t always had the speed to compete for the win himself, he has done a fantastic job of optimizing his performance. Because of this, despite McLaren’s obvious car advantage, Norris has failed to make significant progress.

Red Bull led the constructors’ standings at the beginning of his winless streak, 60 points ahead of Ferrari, his closest rival. After a massive 142-point swing in favor of McLaren and a 96-point swing in favor of Ferrari, they have now dropped to third place.

There will be minimal changes to the regulations over the winter ahead of a major overhaul in 2026. That means the competitive landscape is likely to remain similar – though not necessarily identical – when next season begins.

If Red Bull stays at their current level in 2025, Max Verstappen will “pull the clauses.”

Max sentimental victory in Brazil hasn’t altered his outlook on the future.

He is still planning to go before 2026. Verstappen’s contract has leave clauses, but it is valid until December 2028. Gorner adds that if Red Bull stays “as bad” as they are right now, the Dutchman will “pull the clauses.”